Oregon baseball run rules Iowa in 10-0 win to open huge series
Iowa never expected this.
Oregon came into Iowa City as one of the hottest teams in the country, but the Hawkeyes are in first place.
For now.
The Ducks run-ruled Iowa 10-0 thanks to four home runs on offense and an absolute masterpiece turned in from Grayson Grinsell on the mound to propel Oregon to its eighth straight win. The left-handed ace threw a complete game shutout in 117 pitches, where he gave up just two hits while striking out eight and walking just one. It was Grinsell's ninth win of the season.
With the win in seven innings, Oregon moved within a game a first place at 20-8 in conference action and 39-13 overall. Meanwhile, Iowa fell to 21-7 in Big Ten play and 32-18-1 overall.
In an environment that was similar to Wrigley Field with wind gusts blowing out to right field at around 30 miles per hour, it was the Ducks that took full advantage. They jumped on Iowa starter Cade Obermueller in the first inning as Drew Smith lined a single to left to score Dominic Hellman, and it was 1-0 Ducks.
But it was the fourth inning that dealt Obermueller a serious blow as Oregon plated five runs in the frame, four coming off the bat of Carter Garate. His second grand slam of the season and the Ducks' ninth of the season, made it 6-0 Ducks.
That would be more than enough for Grinsell as he carved up a potent Hawkeye lineup. He didn't allow a Hawkeye to reach second base the entire night. That's how dominant he was.
Oregon's offense could have called it good after the grand slam, but the Ducks added four more runs thanks to two homers from Maddox Molony and a round-tripper from Ryan Cooney.
These two teams meet up for Game 2 of the series Friday night.
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